By Philip Thon Aleu
November 2, 2009 (BOR) – National Election Commission (NEC) officials in Jonglei have started voter registration Sunday at 324 centers across south Sudan’s populous, vast and volatile Jonglei state.
Tribal tension, insufficient funding and poor communication networks are some difficulties NEC members say are main challenges.
A public rally meant to formally launch voter registration was held early Monday at the Constitution Square in front of Governor’s office in state capital Bor. At the rally, speakers led by NEC member Dr. Mum Kou argue voters to register.
A Sudanese, 18 years-old and a resident in the geographical constituency for a period not less than 3 months is entitled to register and ready to vote in the first elections expected to inclusively involved southerners since independence from Britain colonial government 54 years ago.
Banners and posters appear everywhere in Bor town and are thought so in villages calling local people to register but low turnout mars the first 2 days. The Sunday non registration is attributed to that day Christians’ prayers and Monday’s case is yet to be explained.
However, a member of NEC in Jonglei state Dr. Mum Kou told the Sudan Tribune at NEC office in Bor that insufficient funding and poor transport due to damaged roads are bottlenecks.
As such, few vehicles are hired to transport registration officers and materials to areas accessible by road. Dr. Mum indicated that registration officers for Pigi and Old Fangak constituencies will be transported there on Wednesday, November 4.
With volatile security situation in Jonglei state and limited communication networks, Dr. Mum says many challenges remain unresolved.
"We cannot reach Ayod, Pibor, Pochala, Greater Fangak areas (including Khorfulus and Atar) Akobo, Uror, Nyirol and other areas in state due to lack of roads," he says.
Only Bor, Twic East, Duk and part of Ayod counties are accessible by roads. However, with UNMIS, planes airlifted registration to the interior of the state over the weekend, Dr. Mum says.
At the rally earlier, Gov. Kuol Manyang Juuk says: "As a governor of Jonglei state, I argue all people; 18 years and above, to register and be ready to vote next April." Mr. Manyang added that time to campaign to vote for a favorite party is yet to come since its first necessary to have all voters on the list in the right constituencies.
South Sudan Minister of constitutional development Michael Makuei Lueth told the cheering gathering to register to help implementing the CPA (Comprehensive Peace Agreement) as "a contribution to the journey for Sudanese liberation."
Southern Sudanese will vote 12 times in April, 2010. The posts to be contested are: President of the Republic, President Government of Southern Sudan, State governors, Members of the National Assembly, Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly, and states assemblies. During the complex electoral process, the voters will elect their MPs based on geographical constituencies, proportional representation and 25% for women.
According to the 5th Sudan Population and Housing Census – 2008, about 4 million voters will be registered in Southern Sudan with highest figure; about 693,000, from Jonglei.
(ST)
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